Tyrion is the Hand of the King, which means that when the King isn't around, he IS the king. So it's pretty much the most power a person could wield without being the king. Plus, he sent the Gold Cloaks leader to the Wall and made Bronn their new leader, which means Tyrion basically commands the 6000 or so men that act as the police force for the city.
This is where reading the book comes in handy. The biggest part of the army at Kings landing is from Casterly Rock which is basically Tywins men. Tywin sent Tyrion so in effect, going against Tyrion would be like going against Tywin. The other thing is that along with Bron and his sell swords Tyrion brought his own army of well armed savages with him with him. The savages represent the different tribes that alligned themselves with Tyrion as he was escaping The Eyrie in season 1. You only see the leaders of the different tribes with Tyrion in episode 1 during Joffries name day celebration when he first enters the city. HBO just did not do a good job representing that they were a large force and extreamly visible. They were actually a major part of the book. So in reality even if Joffrey and Cersie were willing to ignore Tywins order that Tyrion be the 'Hand of the King', they are not in a good position to do anything about it.
Well, durvasa brought up why they didn't assassinate him. Give him poison or something. Not straight up fight him with an army.
Tywin knows Joffrey's a little **** and that Cersei has been unable to control him (as evidenced by Ned's beheading). Even though he dislikes Tyrion, he's knows that he's the smartest of his children and will do whatever he can to reign in Joffrey and act in the best interest of the family which is why Tywin (who is the real Hand) makes Tyrion the Hand in his absence.
They don't make it as clear in the TV show, but Tyrion brought all of his hill tribe warriors with him to court (you see the one when Maester Pycelle gets shaved and thrown in prison, but the books give them an even larger presence), and when he sent Janos Slynt to the wall, he took over command of the Gold Cloaks indirectly. In the TV show he gives that command to Bronn, where the book gives it to another character Jacelyn Bywater who still works for Tyrion and commands the Gold Cloaks in his name. They just gave Bywater's minor role to Bronn to cut down on casting and adding more characters to keep track of. So beyond the very important support of Tywin, he does have some protection. He also agrees to "help" Cersei as her subordinate and make her feel like she is in control when he first takes the position of Hand.
Thanks. In the TV show, it just makes it seem like Bronn is his body guard and everyone allows him to run things because they're afraid of his bodyguard. All the more strange because the character Bronn is just a mercenary and could apparently be bought off at any time.
There show also made it clear that Tyrionis there on Tywin's order, and nobody ****s with Lord Tywin.
They could actually make that point a little more clear, since Tywin never even shows up in Kings Landing or has any direct communication with them, and is apparently oblivious to the scheming of his daughter and grandson. He seems strangely disconnected from the capital city.
Well Bronn in the show is captain of the gold cloaks, so he has all of them as well. Tyrion also said in season 1 that if Bronn is ever tempted to be bought out talk to me first and I will pay more. Hopefully the show will make it clearer why people are willing to put up with Tyrion and how much they are willing to do so as the season goes along. Warning, changes from the book that cover events that have already happened on the show: They have made several changes though including having Joffrey order the death of Robert's bastards instead of Cersei, and Joffrey telling Cersei he will have her killed if she slaps him again. In the books Cersei orders the killing of the bastards because it is "evidence" that two different hands have used to discover her incest. There really isn't any motivation for Joffrey to do it other than being "evil". While book Joffrey does alot of acts that would fit calling him evil, they have amped it up even more on the show with the bastards deaths and the w**** torture. As for Joffrey threatening Cersei, it really throws some plot holes in by the show writers making up this scene. For one Cersei is queen regent so Joffrey could not have her killed until he comes of age, she is acting king. Second of all if Joffrey has no respect for his mother, then there is no logical reason why Tyrion would be able to stop the beating and stripping of Sansa. In the books he does it by threatening to tell Cersei, which Joffrey knows will get him in trouble. So in the books it makes sense why Joffrey reluctantly listens to Tyrion, where the show it isn't so clear.
Except, as ruthless as Joffrey is, he's a scared little child with too much power. Tyrion has been manhandling him since before he was king. A dangerous role, perhaps, but it's not surprising watching tyrion play on the weaknesses of Joffrey's childish mind. Threatening his mother may have been manufactured, but I don't think it creates a real problem regarding why Joffrey allows Tyrion to confront him, considering their past, and his appointment by Tywin, as well as his control of armies they need to protect themselves. Still, Joffrey is sending the imp a message with his act of cruelty on Tyrion's "gift" so it would appear that's a fine line, regardless. Obviously, I don't have the books as perspective, but regarding the things I don't think were done necessarily well, or that might not make as much sense as I'd like, that wasn't one of them for me. It does maybe have less of an impact where Cersei is concerned... the minute things go how she wants them too, she immediately seems to lose her considerable power. But without the book perspective, it isn't conflicting with anything, maybe just a little surprising. It's early, so not judging too much by what my expectations of what I thought would happen might be.... not since Ned lost his head, really. It's stuff like that which make me glad I didn't read the books yet, though.
In the book, Bronn is Tyrion's bodyguard pretty much. The thing I find odd about the show is that they put him in charge of the Gold Cloaks yet he still spends all his time with Tyrion. And from what I remember, they didn't even change his wardrobe to put him in a gold cloak. Yes. I think it's important to note that Joffrey still believes Robert was his father. He's no doubt heard the "rumors" but he doesn't believe them. So he didn't kill the bastards to protect his claim (which is mostly why Cersei did it). From his perspective, he was killing his half-siblings, probably out of spite for his Robert's infidelity.
It's good for the show I suppose that some non-readers don't see this as a problem, but when Durvasa asks, why doesn't Joffrey have Tyrion killed, there is a bit of a disconnect for some people. Simplified, Cersei doesn't kill Tyrion because she is obeying her father who controls all the armies that keep the Lannisters in power, and Joffrey doesn't because he is obeying Cersei. If Joffrey is willing to threaten his mother's life, who he loves or at least respects/fears and obeys in the book, then it becomes more of a stretch to wonder why Joffrey didn't at least threaten Tyrion. The book explains that by Tyrion threatening to tell Cersei what Joffrey is doing to Sansa, and Joffrey caring enough about what his mother thinks/will do for that to cow him. Joffrey can't retaliate or make a big deal about Tyrion's actions without Cersei finding out about his treatment of Sansa. If Joffrey is no longer cares what Cersei thinks, it becomes less clear what is keeping Joffrey doing whatever crosses his evil mind to Tyrion, rather than just to his whores.
This clears up some confusion for me. I don't see why they had Joffrey kill off the bastards as it doesn't fit his character. Having Joffrey killing the bastards makes his character look insecure and scared of the political power they hold. This is in contrast to his portrayal as an arrogant little prick who killed Ned Stark in complete disregard for the dangers his enemies posed and the power that lay in holding him as a prisoner. Also, it isn't clear from the episodes (I have only read the first book) that at this point Joffrey believes he is not Robert's son. Finally, how would he have even know who the bastards were and where to find them if Cersei did not help him? Maybe they are trying to make Cersei more redeemable as a character or are just going over the top too much to make Joffrey the main villain this season. Also, not having read the book it did appear to me they have portrayed Tyrion as doing whatever he wants because Bronn is somehow some super fearful badass who can intimidate everyone. Its pretty unbelievable that even the kingsguard would back down to a sellsword.
I thought in the books the wildfire was Tyrion's idea from the start. In the show, it was Cersei's? Rocket River
Joffrey definitely believes he is Robert's son and believes that he is the rightful king because of it. In his mind killing Ned really was a traitor who was trying to over throw his rightful king. If someone brought the rumors that Stannis spread about Joffrey being born of incest he would probaly be more likely to kill all the messengers than the bastards. In the books we never hear that he is exposed to the rumor, or what his reaction was if he did. As for how Joffrey would find out about the bastards location on the show, could be Littlefinger, Varys, or perhaps the Gold Cloaks already know. I think that is probably the case, though I am not convinced that it is the right way to go. Part of the reason Joffrey is the way he is, is because of Cersei. The scene is pretty acurate over all except for the exclusion of Tyrion threatening to tell Cersei, Ser Dontas (the drunk knight from episode one that Sansa saved and Joffrey made into a fool) trying to save Sansa by doing a mock beating on her with melon morning star. Nice thing about having kindle versions of the books, is it is easy to find this stuff for reference later. For those interested here is the passage from the book: Spoiler Ser Dontos approached on his broomstick horse; since he'd been too drunk to mount his destrier at the tourney, the king had decreed that henceforth he must always go horsed. "Be brave," he whispered, squeezing her arm. Joffrey stood in the center of the throng, winding an ornate crossbow. Ser Boros and Ser Meryn were with him. The site of them was enough to tie her insides in knots. "Your Grace." She fell to her knees. "Kneeling won't save you now, the king said. "Stand up. You're here to answer for your brother's latest treasons." "Your Grace, whatever my traitor brother has done, I had no part. You know that, I beg you please-" "Get her up!" The Hound pulled her to her feet, not ungently. "Ser Lancel," Joff said, "tell her of this outrage." Sansa had always thought Lancel Lannister comely and well spoken, but there was neither pity nor kindness in the look he gave her. "Using some vile sorcery, your brother fell upon Ser Stafford Lannister with an army of wargs, not three days ride from Lannisport. Thousands of good men were butchered as they slept, without the chance to lift sword. After the slaughter, the northmen feasted on the flesh of the slain." Horror coiled cold hands around Sansa's throat. "You have nothing to say?" asked Joffrey. "Your Grace, the poor child is shocked witless," murmured Ser Dontos. "Silence, fool." Joffrey lifted his crossbow and pointed it at her face. "You Starks are as unnatural as those wolves of yours. I've not forgotten how your monster savaged me." "That was Arya's wolf," she said. "Lady never hurt you, but you killed her anyway." "No, your father did," Joff said, "but I killed your father. I wish I'd done it myself. I killed a man last night who was bigger than your father. They came to the gate shouting my name and calling for bread like i was some baker, but I taught them better. I shot the loudest one right through the throat." "And he died?" With the ugly iron head of the quarrel staring her in the face, it was hard to think what else to say. "Of course he died, he had a quarrel in his throat. There was a woman throwing rocks, I got her as well, but only the arm." Frowning, he lowered the crossbow. "I'd shoot you too, but if I do Mother says they'd kill my uncle Jaime. Instead you'll just be punished and we'll send word to your brother about what will happen to you if doesn't yield. Dog, hit her." "Let me beat her!" Ser Dontos shoved foward, tin armor clattering. He was armed with a "morningstar" whose head was a melon. My Florian. She could have kissed him, blotchy skin and broken veins and all. He trotted his broomstick around her, shouting "Traitor, traitor" and whacking her over the head with the melon. Sansa covered herself with her hands, staggering each time the fruit pounded her, her hair sticky by the second blow. People were laughing. The melon flew to pieces. Laugh, Joffrey, she prayed, as juice ran down her face and the front of her blue gown. Laugh and be satisfied. Joffrey did not so much as snick*r. "Boros. Meryn." Ser Meryn Trant seized Dontos by the arm and flung him brusquely away. The red-faced fool went sprawling, broomstick, melon and all. Ser Boros seized Sansa. "Leave her face," Joffrey commanded. "I like her pretty." Boros slammed a fist into Sansa's belly, driving the air out of her. When she doubled over, the knight grabbed her hair and drew his sword, and for one hideous instant she was certain he meant to open her throat. As he laid the flat of his blade across her thighs, she thought her legs might break from the force of the blow. Sansa screamed. Tears welled in her eyes. It will be over soon. She soon lost count of the blows. "Enough," she heard the Hound rasp. "No it isn't," the king replied. "Boros, make her naked." Boros shoved a meaty hand down the front of Sansa's bodice and gave a hard yank. The silk came tearing away, baring her to the waist. Sansa covered her breasts with her hands. She could hear the s******s far off and cruel. "Beat her bloody," Joffrey said, "we'll see how her brother fancies-" "What is the meaning of this?" The Imp's voice cracked like a whip, and suddenly Sansa was free. She stumbled to her knees, arms crossed over her chest, her breath ragged. "Is this your notion of chivalry, Ser Boros?" Tyrion Lannister demanded angrily. His pet sellsword stood with him, and one of his wildlings, the one with the burned eye. "What sort of knight beats helpless maids?" "The sort who serves his king, Imp." Ser Boros raised his sword, and Ser Meryn stepped up beside him, his blade scraping clear of its scabbard. "Careful with those," warned the dwarf's sellsword. "You don't want to get blood all over those pretty white cloaks." "Someone give the girl something to cover herself with," the Imp said. Sandor Clegane unfastened his cloak and tossed it at her. Sansa clutched it against her chest, fists bunched hard in the white wool. The coarse weave was scratchy against her skin, but no velvet had ever felt so fine. "This girl's to be your queen," the Imp told Joffrey. "Have you no regard for her honor?" "I'm punishing her." "For what crime? She did not fight her brother's battle." "She has the blood of a wolf." "And you have the wits of a goose." "You can't talk to me that way. The king can do as he likes." "Aerys Targaryen did as he liked. Has your mother ever told you what happened to him?" Ser Boros Blount harrumphed. "No man threatens His Grace in the presence of the Kingsguard." Tyrion Lannister raised an eyebrow. "I am not threatening the king, ser, I am educating my nephew. Bronn, Timett, the next time Ser Boros opens his mouth, kill him." The dwarf smiled. "Now that was a threat, ser. See the difference?" Ser Boros turned a dark shade of red. "The queen will hear of this!" "No doubt she will. And why wait? Joffrey, shall we send for your mother?" The king flushed. "Nothing to say, Your Grace?" his uncle went on. "Good. Learn to use your ears more and your mouth less, or your reign will be shorter than I am. Wanton brutality is no way to win your people's love... or your queen's." "Fear is better than love, Mother says." Joffrey pointed at Sansa. "She fears me. The Imp sighed. "Yes, I see. A pity Stannis and Renly aren't twelve-year-old girls as well. Bronn, Timett, bring her." It's very accurate in comparison to many of the other scenes in the show, but I do think leaving in the Cersei part would have helped. I also think the w**** torture that followed kind of over shadowed just how horrible an experience Sansa went thru there. Cersei did make the initial order for wildfire, and Tyrion finds out about it several chapters before he actually goes to meet the pyromancers. Spoiler By that time he has pretty much taken over the project and no longer is in doubt about using the stuff even though he does have some concerns, and Tyrion is the one who decides exactly how to use it, and sets up the training exercises with empty pots and pots full of water for his soldiers to practice with, which may be cut from the show.
Not to me, but I didn't read the books yet, and again, the nitpicking of such things is why I'm glad. I would do the same thing. It sounds like they're taking some liberties that, if you read it, matter a lot, and if you didn't, don't matter so much. Maybe others disagree. I can see a lot of reasons why Joffrey doesn't have him killed in the way the show presents the story. I'm not saying it's the right decision, or that there aren't questions. I guess I'm just saying there are other things that might bother me more than how that is being presented, even knowing your description of the books. Obviously, Joffrey's ramping ruthlessness begs the question why he might take any flak from anyone at THIS point, but there are obvious presented reasons, and he is more complicated than just his portrayal as a ruthless and omnipotent king.
I think its made clear when Tywin tells Tyrion to execute anybody on the small council if he gets a whiff of treason.
